Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-12-03
PETERSBURG.
A COUNCIL RESOLUTION WHICH Is
WITHDRAWN.
The Republicans Checkmated BY Their Own
Aoiion-The Confederate Camp
other Matters.
lconcspOudo. CO Of no Richmond DisDa,cA.l

fCorTcgpOudot CO OF ne Richmond Dispatch.l
DEcKnBER 3, 1887.
Towards the end OF the council meet
ing last night o resolution was offered by
one OF the colored members removing
from Office the city auditor, BIr. Z. Z.
Russell, because OF "gross neglect Of
duty." and declaring the Office vacant.
II was expected that resolution Of this
kind would be offered from the Repnbli-
can side of the council, caucus OF Re-
publican members having considered the
matter and made o nomination ia place OF
Mr.. Russell. Several of the leading mem
bers on the Republican side spoke in favor
Of the resolution, butno word was spoken
on the Democratic side. Mr.. G. Rus
sell, who during the physical inability OF
his son. Mr.. +. Il. Russell, has been
acting az substitute auditor, was allowed,
at his request, to address the council
He claimed that under the or
dinance of the city and the action
Of the council IN October last
lie is the auditor de 6act0, while his
son is the auditor de .jUrc. Under the
provisions of the ordinance the mayor
had appointed the father substitute au-
ditor for the son, and the council had
approved and endorsed the appointment
at a meeting held in October. Since
that time the substitute had discharged
the duties OF the Office in manner
whose correctness could not be question
ed land unless, since the Octobermeeting,
il could be shown that there had peen any
neglect of the duties of the Office, which
he challenged any one to show, the
council could not legally remove the
auditor. Mr.. Russel's position is a
strong one, and doubtless the Republi-
cans saw the force Of his arguments, for
very soon after be had finished speaking
the mover OF the resolution, in tremu
lous voice, arose and asked to withdraw
it, which he was allowed TO do. 1t is al
most certain that had the resolution been
passed aud a successor TO M. Russell
elected the auditor dc f0ctO would have
left the council chamber in charge Of the
records of the Office, and would have re-
tanned them until the matter could be
decided by the courts. As the matter
now stands Mr.. Russell will probably
remain auditor of the city until the ex-
piration Of his term, on the 1st of July
next.
Nearly two hundred ex-Confederate
soldiers OF this city and vicinity, who
have joined the A. p. Hill Camp, have
signed an application asking r. f. Lee
Camp to grant a charter. A committee
has been appointed to make the applica-
ton for charter. Major W. Gordon
McCabe will most probably be chosen
commander of the camp, and better
selection could not we'll be made. Mr..
Splitter, of Lee Camp, addressed the ex-
Mt their meeting last night,
and made some valuable suggestions,
which will doubtless be favorably acted
upon.
Mr.. William Il. Parham and DR.. Da-
vid f. May have been elected members
of the City School Board to fill va
cancies caused by death and resigna-
ton. The Republicans of the council
were appealed to last night, when the
name of Rev. j. NJ. Pitcher was nomi-
mated for one of these vacancies. to lay
aside party and vote for man who was
acceptable in all respects, and against
whom no possible objection could be |
urged, but the appeal had no effect.
The addition to the Central Lunstic |
Asylum some time ago ordered by the |
has been nearly completed. |
When it is finished accommodations will |
be furnished for many more patients.
ROBIN ADAIR.